Wednesday, March 27, 2013

1966 – Houston Breaks Iggy’s Way; Michigan Ace Takes 200

Houston,
Tex. (March 27, 1966) – Iggy
Katona has been around stock car racing long enough to know you have to take
advantage of any and every break.

And that’s exactly what the Willis, Mich., racing veteran did Sunday afternoon
at Meyer Speedway. As a result, he won the 5th annual Houston 200.

Katona’s “break” came on lap 144 of the 100-mile race when a
wreck took out the front-running Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa.
That was all Katona needed as he poked his 1965 Plymouth hemi out in front of the pack and
went untouched to an easy victory.

Derr had led most of the way in his #1 car, 1966 Dodge, with
Ramo Stott, also of Keokuk,
Iowa, right behind in a ’65 Plymouth.

Derr went for a pit stop on lap 35 and Stott briefly took
the lead. But Stott had to come in on lap 138 for gas and a right front tire
sending Derr in front while Stott was in the pits for two laps.

The two quickly lined up behind each other again, running
one-two when the afternoon’s most serious accident took place.

Tom King got his 1964 Studebaker sideways on the south bank
when Derr was trying to get around. Derr hit King’s car and Stott slammed into
the back of Derr’s Dodge.

When the smoke and dust cleared, both King and Derr were
eliminated for the afternoon. Despite some hasty repairs by Stott’s crew, his
car was so badly damaged he brought his car back in the pit area on lap 162 and
was finished as well.

But Katona had his Plymouth
at the right place and the right time. He jumped into the lead and was never
pushed, covering the 100 miles in 1 hour, 26 minutes and 38 seconds.

Charlie Glotzbach, driving a 1964 Ford, finished second and
Bobby Watson in another ’64 Ford took third. Twenty-five stock cars started the
feature but only 10 cars were on the speedway when the checkers waved.

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Preserving the history of Midwest Auto Racing

So much racing history has been made through the years right here in the Midwest.

From the rich dirt ovals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska to the paved short tracks in Minnesota and Wisconsin, some of the best drivers ever to get behind the wheel of a race car competed right here in the heartland.

We all have our own story to share about our favorite driver who thrilled us everytime they rolled onto the track or that one particular race that still stands out as the greatest they ever saw.

We'll go back in history, 10, 20, 30, 40, even 50 years ago (even more) and reminisce about what has made racing in the Midwest so special for us.